The digital content on TLO has been updated to align with the accessibility standards required by WCAG 2.1.
Amend HB 1366 (second reading engrossment) as follows:
(1) Add the following appropriately numbered section:
SECTION . Subchapter H, Chapter 301, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 301.354 to read as follows:
Sec. 301.354. NURSE FIRST ASSISTANTS; ASSISTING AT SURGERY BY
OTHER NURSES. (a) In this section, "nurse first assistant" means a
registered nurse who:
(1) has completed a nurse first assistant educational
program approved or recognized by an organization recognized by the
board; and
(2) is either:
(A) certified in perioperative nursing by an
organization recognized by the board; or
(B) recognized by the board as an advanced
practice nurse and qualified by education, training, or experience
to perform the tasks involved in perioperative nursing.
(b) Unless the person is a nurse first assistant, the person
may not use:
(1) the title "nurse first assistant" or "registered
nurse first assistant";
(2) the abbreviation "R.N.F.A."; or
(3) any other title or abbreviation that implies to the
public that the person is qualified as a nurse first assistant under
this section.
(c) A health maintenance organization or an insurer,
including an insurer offering a preferred provider benefit plan,
may not, by contract or any other method, require a physician to use
the services of a nurse first assistant.
(d) A nurse who is not a nurse first assistant may assist a
physician, podiatrist, or dentist in the performance of surgery if
the nurse:
(1) assists under the direct personal supervision and
in the physical presence of the physician, podiatrist, or dentist;
(2) is in the same sterile field as the physician,
podiatrist, or dentist;
(3) is employed by;
(A) the physician, podiatrist, or dentist;
(B) a group to which the physician, podiatrist,
or dentist belongs; or
(C) a hospital licensed or owned by the state; and
(4) is qualified by education, training, or experience
to perform the tasks assigned to the nurse.
(e) A patient or third-party insurer may not be billed
separately for the services performed by a nurse described by
Subsection (d).
(f) A registered nurse must perform circulating duties in
the operating room. In accordance with approved medical staff
policies and procedures, a vocational nurse or surgical
technologist may assist in circulating duties under the direct
supervision of the registered nurse.
(2) Strike Section 6 of the bill (page 6, line 9) and
substitute the following appropriately numbered section:
SECTION . Sections 301.1525, 301.1526, 301.1527, and
304.010, Occupations Code, are repealed.
(3) Renumber the sections of the bill accordingly.